Can we use psychedelics to help wellbeing? Taking us through this hotly contested topic, subject of both ‘warranted enthusiasm and caution’, is Adam Safron. Currently at The Centre for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Adam is also a dedicated meditation practitioner. In today’s discussion, we explore the roles of psychedelics in medical treatment, meditation, creativity and freewill. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemp...
Jun 07, 2022•30 min
We need to fall in love with every part of ourselves. This is a key takeaway from today’s enlightening discussion with Janusz Welin, founder of the Deep Mindfulness Collective. Master meditator and leader of residential retreats all over the world, Janusz brings a wealth of knowledge and musings on meditative practice. From classical awakening to Internal Family Systems, we explore how to use mindfulness to discover, train and love yourself. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its ...
May 31, 2022•32 min
More meditation does not always equal more progress! We are delighted today to have the opportunity to share research from our very own Dr Mark Miller. Mark is a veteran meditator who supports anecdotes from his personal practice with scientific evidence and phenomenological discussion. Sharing insights from a recent paper, we break down the ‘self’, dissociative disorders and windows of tolerance to encourage a gentle and committed meditation practice. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: t...
May 24, 2022•38 min
What are the five contemplative landmarks? And what do they say about our meditation practice? Today we probe into the research of philosopher and meditation researcher Terje Sparby. Terje is a master meditator, whose work brings together the worlds of neuroscience, spirituality and community. Join us to explore consciousness, Dhyāna, introspective methods and religion. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you e...
May 17, 2022•34 min
How can you fundamentally change your relationship with the external world? Joining today to share the messages of the very latest cognitive research on yoga and meditation is Harvard Medical School's Sara Lazar. Sara’s research explores the brain at varying stages of life: tracking the effects of mindfulness on its composition and capability, and the applications this can have in patient care. Meditation is all about raising meta-cognitive awareness. Join us to find out how to start! External U...
May 10, 2022•33 min
What do you know about trauma? Joining today to lift the lid on the weight of individual and collective trauma, is Michelle Cassandra Johnson. Activist, author, anti-racism consultant and yoga teacher - Michelle talks candidly on personal experiences, generational trauma and the whitewashing of yoga. Humans are all interconnected, not separate! Michelle shares practical tips for integrating mindfulness into your life, for the good of all society. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help...
May 03, 2022•32 min
How much do you know about Kemetic Yoga? If you're like most people, not much! Enter Kemetic Yoga legend Yirser Ra Hotep, master instructor of Yoga and the creator of the YogaSkills Method. Yirser joins to lift the lid on the origins and principles of yoga-like practices in Africa, and how he translates this research into real life applications. Recounting pioneering mindfulness training with inmates at Cook County Jail in Chicago, Yirser underlines the importance of connectedness with our ances...
Apr 25, 2022•32 min
References to romantic love is everywhere - in music, in films and in our lives. But what is actually happening when we fall in love? Diving into the heart of the matter is leading expert Dr Lucy Brown. Lucy's research is at the crossroads of love, neuroscience and meditation. Chatting to Mark and Jamie, Lucy reveals what happens in the brain during early love, committed relationships and heartbreak - and why knowing oneself is fundamental for fulfilment. Listen in to understand the science of l...
Apr 19, 2022•34 min
Can mindfulness aid addiction, depression and pain? We welcome Antoine Lutz, a pioneering researcher of contemplative practices. Antoine is fascinated by the ways in which we perceive negative thoughts as tangible and real - but more importantly, what we can do to change them. Introducing the surprising and crucial concept of de-reification, and by sharing experiments with mindfulness amateurs and experts, he seeks to uncover how we can better deal with trauma. ------ This podcast has a single p...
Apr 12, 2022•31 min
What is authentic happiness? And how can you find it? Enter Doug Veenhof. Doug describes happiness as a 'process of subtraction'. Sharing his experiences as meditator and teacher at the Center for Contemplative Research, Doug talks religion, neuroscience and the fundamental difference between Eudaimonia and hedonic pleasure. Join us for a disarming and radical approach to achieving happiness. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of conte...
Apr 05, 2022•30 min
Why isn’t wellbeing part of the school curriculum? Asking the question and doing the research is Dr Dusana Dorjee, a cognitive neuroscientist whose research uncovers how mindfulness impacts wellbeing. Dissatisfaction and anxiety levels are rising - and young people are effected worse than any other demographic. Supported by cutting-edge research, Dusana advocates here for practical steps you can take to address rising levels of dissatisfaction. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help i...
Mar 29, 2022•31 min
How does modern psychiatry interact with the mystical, psychedelic or magical? With difficulty! Dr Daniel Ingram is attempting to change that. As a key member of the The Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (The EPRC), Daniel is on a mission to ‘tool up’ modern medicine to deal with the results of the spiritual path. We dive into the nature of spiritual development, emergent phenomena and the challenges of helping healthcare deal with the weird and wonderful of the spiritual path. ------ T...
Mar 22, 2022•28 min
In 2022, Buddhism is perceived as 'spirituality for the rational', fully compatible with cutting‑edge science. But this view is actually a mistake that does both Buddhism and science a disservice, says Dr Evan Thompson. Exploring what he calls 'Buddhist exceptionalism', Evan breaks down why Buddhism is treated differently to other spiritual practices, and dives deep into both Western and Buddhist philosophy to explain how the goals of science and religion are fundamentally different. Covering en...
Mar 15, 2022•31 min
What are the main differences between western and indigenous contemplative science? Enter Dr Yuria Celidwen, a Native of Indigenous Nahua and Maya descent. As Yuria explains, indigenous contemplative practices focus on the community, rather than just the self. If I flourish, the planet flourishes. We explore cognitive imperialism, individualist attitudes and the fundamental importance of intention. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of...
Mar 08, 2022•29 min
We’re living in the midst of a meaning crisis. Enter Dr John Vervaeke. The world’s leading expert in diagnosing the spiritual, practical and cognitive causes of increasing isolation and disillusionment. In this episode, John deep-dives into the ‘why’, and outlines what we can do to fix it. We cover the scope of spirituality, the cognitive science of desperation and the significance of psychedelic experiences. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical...
Mar 01, 2022•44 min
Your life is as good as the lens you see it through. Disillusioned with her ‘dream’ job, Julianna Raye took a punt on meditation. 2 decades later, she credits it with changing her life and perceptions beyond recognition. In this episode, Dr Mark Miller and Jamie Slevin talk to Julianna Raye - CEO of Unified Mindfulness - to understand the mechanics of meditation, the complexity of mental health and what steps you can take today to practically change how you perceive your world. ------ This podca...
Mar 01, 2022•45 min
Welcome to The Contemplative Science Podcast. Brought to you by Monash University, this is the podcast for anybody interested in the overlap of cutting edge-science and ancient spiritual practices. Co-hosts Dr. Mark Miller and Jamie Slevin ask the experts - from Monks to Neuroscientists - how contemplative practices work, and crucially, how they can help us improve our lives. Join us each week for ancient wisdom made practical. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners inte...
Feb 23, 2022•28 sec
